Interested members of the public are invited to participate in the 18th Annual C&O Canal Midwinter Bird Survey on Saturday, Jan. 23.

This survey, which is coordinated by the District of Columbia Audubon Society, is designed to provide a snapshot count of birds present along the entire, 185-mile length of the canal.

Locally, the Potomac Valley Audubon Society will be counting the birds on a three-mile section of the canal between Antietam Creek and the Rumsey Bridge at Shepherdstown. Participants in the count will gather at the large National Park Service parking lot on Canal Road just south of the railroad bridge, and leave from that location at 7:45 a.m. sharp. (Do not park at the first, small parking lot at the base of the hill below the Rumsey Bridge.)

The count should be done by about 11:30 a.m.

Anyone with an interest is welcome to join in, regardless of their experience at birding.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged but not required. To register, go to the Society’s website at www.potomacaudubon.org. For more information, contact the count leader, Bill Telfair, at 408-966-8895 or wbchtelfair@sbcglobal.net.

The count will take place regardless of the weather conditions. Participants should dress appropriately for those conditions, bring binoculars if they have them, and be prepared to walk the full three-mile route.